Thursday Randoms

Today was a good day.  The sun was shining, and we are one day closer to the weekend.  I'm not creative enough to come up with a post that doesn't contain bullet points tonight, so here goes....

*  I cannot believe June is almost over.  The summer seemed to creep up on me and it felt like we didn't have big plans.  Now, it seems like we're going to be swamped with crazy, busy fun.  Just like we always seem to do during the summer.  And for the most part, I love it.

*  Still doing the P90X Ab ripper workout.  I could hardly move after Day 2, my entire core throbbed.

*  A small miracle happened today.  Jonah napped for more than 40 minutes in his crib today..........TWICE.  In the morning he napped for 1hr and 20 minutes and in the afternoon he napped for.........drumroll please........2hrs and 45 minutes.  WHAT?!?!?!  I don't know who stole my 40 minute napping baby but oh boy, it was awesome.  Of course, today Benjamin only slept for less than 2 hours....it always works like that doesn't it?  It didn't even matter though, I was just elatated that Jonah slept.  I do realize that I am going to jinx it and tomorrow my blog post will probably sound something like "why, oh why won't my baby sleep.  Please make the screaming stop."  Ha :-)

those eyes and cheeks get me every time

*  Speaking of Benjamin, the kid needs to stop growing.  He's practically in kindergarten and I can't stand it.

his energy level lately is out of control.  The kid doesn't stop.  EVER.

*  I got the cutest video of Peter making Jonah laugh yesterday.  I haven't uploaded it but I'll try to post it soon.  Jonah's giggles are awesome, reminds me so much of Ben.

*  Those brothers are soooo much more into each other lately.  Jonah was talking to Benjamin and he thought it was hilarious and couldn't stop laughing.  And when Benjamin was giving Jonah squeezes (hugs) tonight before bed Jonah was trying to grab him, and grab his head and Ben just laughed and laughed.  Jonah was so intentional about "playing" with Ben and it was really fun to watch.  Watching them interact is such a fun part of parenting!

*  Peter grilled yummy chicken kabobs on the grill tonight, tasty stuff!!

*  I am really looking forward to the Olympics in July.  I will watch them all day long and never tire of it.  It's so fun to watch the best of the best compete.

That's all I got tonight.  I'll leave you with a picture of what our family likes to call a "kiss sandwich"  We sure do eat a lot of 'em in this household :-)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today is the first day of summer.  Apparently, someone should have given Oregon the memo so it would've remembered to bring some sunshine.  I did look at the forecast and these clouds are supposed to clear later this morning, so there's hope.

Anyway, here are some things that I'm loving this week!

*  I'm loving that Netflix has episodes of Saved by the Bell......really?!?!?  I watched this with my sister growing up so it has a ton of memories for me.  We actually used to play Zach and Kelly with our barbies.  We loved to act out the episode where Zach was principal for th day.  It was a simple, borderline pathetic childhood we had, ha ha!

*  I'm loving that we finally got our tickets to visit the Larmores in San Diego this summer!  We're super excited to see them and we were able to use points to get the tickets for free

*  I'm loving that my mom is finally going to get her hip replacement surgery in a few weeks.  Normally, surgery isn't something that you would necessarily be happy about, but it is going to make her life soooo much easier and take away soooo much pain.

*  I'm loving that Benjamin is really enjoying the Legos and trampoline I found for him while garage saling last week

*  I'm loving that our boys are friends with our friends boys.  It's so much fun to watch them together.

Micah is exactly 1 year older than Benjamin (how fun that they share a birthday?)

Nehemiah is about 2 1/2 months older than Jonah

*  I'm loving that the moms from our church are getting together at the park at least once a week this summer.  I'm realizing how important fellowship with other moms really is!

*  I'm loving, or maybe I should say that I should be loving the new ab workout I've started.  I'm tired of looking like I might be a couple months pregnant so I've started the P90X Ab Ripper workout.  Wowzers, that guy doesn't mess around.  My entire mid section is sore, my legs hurt, and I'm convinced I have intenal bleeding going on....okay, maybe not that last part but it sure does hurt.  Hopefully I get some results! 

Gotta teach piano before we head to the park later this morning.....Happy Wednesday everyone!!



I'm now 28

Last Saturday, while Pete's folks were here, I had a birthday and turned 28.  Or as my husband who sweeps me off my feet with his sentiments says, "practically 30."  He's just bitter because he hit that milestone already didn't you sweetie....a few years ago.  Ha :-)

I got to spend my birthday at the coast with the most important men in my life...

(check out the previous posts for more coast trip details - I think I've posted 4 times today!)

I was gifted with cards, a garlic press, and a gift card from family.  And Starbucks and chocolate from the hubby (I'm so easy to please!)

On Sunday night we ate some ice cream cake and got to blow out a candle after the traditional birthday song.  Benjamin helped his mama.

 My real present from Peter is the chance to go garage saling for one weekend every year with my best girl friend.  We normally hit up these huge neighborhood sales in the Portland area but seeing as how we both have babies, in particular babies who don't really like bottles, we decided to keep it local.  We actually took our youngest with us for the morning on Friday then dropped them off for the afternoon.  And Saturday we went without them, but took a "feeding break" at the park where our husbands met us with the rest of the kids.  It definitely wasn't as big as the sales we normally hit, but we found quite a few and we scored some fun finds.  Mostly, I just really enjoy hanging out with my friend, sharing life and laughing together while garage saling which is something we both love.  It was an awesome weekend with a wonderful friend.

Peter also gifted me the gift of going into work early so he could get off early and let me go get my hair cut.  I hadn't had a hair cut in 6 months.  Half a year.  It was time.

I was super grateful for a family and friends that made me feel special and loved.  And for a husband who let me have a little "me" time as my gift.  I think this is going to be a great year.......even if it is "practically 30."

Poppy & GongGong came to town

Last weekend Peter's folks came to town!  Benjamin was so excited to see them (so were the rest of us!)

Friday night we just hung out, ate steaks, and stayed up too late.  Of course, as soon as GongGong is in town, Benjamin wants to have her read him a story.

Saturday we had a lazy morning then headed to the coast for the day.  We still had our annual membership to the aquarium so we hit there first.  Benjamin had been talking about returning there for the longest time so we were excited to take him back.

We had such a great time looking at all the ocean life.

After the aquarium, we ate a picnic lunch, then headed down to the beach.  The weather was gorgeous.  Earlier in the week it was supposed to rain but it was mostly sunny and perfectly warm almost the entire day so we were so thankful.  Mom and Dad took their walk on the beach while I fed Jonah and convinced Benjamin that he wasn't dying when his bare feet touched the sand.  He cried for a while but I was able to strategically get him over it by placing sand castles spaced out on the beach and daring him not to smash them.  Which of course, made him WANT to smash them.  So he slowly walked from castle to castle until he realized the sand was actually fun to walk in, then he was great the rest of the time.  Peter took him down by the water too and he loooooved it.

We drove up to the lighthouse area for more scenic views and we walked down to the tide pool area to watch the waves in the distance, so beautiful.

We didn't get home until late that night but it was such a wonderful day together!

Sunday we went to church, ate a roast beef lunch, and went for a long walk.  We finished the evening playing outside and eating hot dogs, it was a gorgeous day and evening. 

Monday, Peter had to work but while he was gone we went to a local plant nursery, and played at the park.  We hit up the Pizza Hut buffet for lunch, then the boys napped while Mom and Dad walked.  We cooked a yummy pasta meal for dinner, played outside, cleaned out the gutters (thanks again Dad!), read lots of stories, and watched a movie, No Greater Love.  Again, we stayed up too late but it was a really fun day.

Tuesday morning we ate breakfast, then gave lots of hugs and kisses before they took off.  We had such a great visit and truly wish our family lived closer!!  Can't wait to see you again soon :-)

4 Months - Jonah

Boy, oh boy, am I behind on posts!  Jonah is closer to 5 months now than 4 months, but here is what he's been up to this past month.

Height:  25.75 inches (75th percentile)

Weight:  13lbs 11ounces (30th percentile)  You are our tall and slender little guy

Likes:  You love bathtime.  You would stay there all day if we let you.  You love Benjamin and really enjoy watching him, playing with him, and listening to him.  You love being outside, your exersaucer, your Floppy, being held, Baby Einstein, being tickled.  You also love listening to books at bedtime.

Dislikes:  Having to wait more than 5 minutes to eat when you are hungry.  Not being in a comfortable position when you are tired. 

Eating:  You are nursing 5-7 times a day.  Usually every 3 hours, but sometimes 2.5 and sometimes 4-5.  You took part of a bottle this past weekend but you still fought it a little bit.

Sleeping:  You go to bed between 8 and 9.  Most nights you wake up between 3 and 4:30am to eat and go back to sleep until sometime between 7:30 and 9.  You nap about 40 minutes in the morning, and usually continue that trend in the afternoon for 2 more naps.  I can't seem to get you to sleep longer most days, but we're dealing with it.

Personality:  You are such a relaxed little cuddlebug.  You really are laidback and go with the flow most of the time.  You are so aware and observant.  You can be quite loud when you want to be.  You love to talk and grab your toes and grab the toys around you.  You give the goofiest grins.

Highlights:  All the normal developmental stuff like rolling over, holding on to things, etc.  You went to Black Butte with our EPIC group for a weekend, you started going to church nursery, you started using the exersaucer and Johnny Jump Up.

Jonah, we couldn't have asked for a more adorable or goofy little boy.  We are so much enjoying watching you grow and develop, and even though it's going by way too fast, it's so much fun.  You are our sweet little boy and we're kinda crazy about you.  Love you Jonah!